Battery Unit Heating Control via Variable Heat Transfer Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery unit heating systems in electric and hybrid vehicles experience delays in heating the battery units due to insufficient heat transfer from a heat exchange medium, leading to reduced performance in cold weather.

Innovation Solution

A battery unit temperature management device that includes a heater, a changing mechanism to control heat transfer capacity, and a control device to manage heat exchange modes, allowing for quick heating by adjusting heat transfer capacity based on the temperature of the heat exchange medium and battery unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the heat exchange medium is heated by the heater, then the temperature of the heat exchange medium increases, but the heating of the battery unit is delayed because heat transfers from the battery unit to the heat exchange medium

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of heat exchange mediumVSAvoidheating delay of battery unit
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the heat transfer capacity adjustable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically changes the heat transfer capacity between the battery unit and heat exchange medium based on temperature conditions. When the heat exchange medium temperature is below the battery unit temperature, the heat transfer capacity is reduced to prevent heat loss from the battery. When the heat exchange medium temperature reaches or exceeds the battery unit temperature, the heat transfer capacity is increased to accelerate heat transfer to the battery, thus resolving the heating delay problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the heat transfer capacity parameter based on temperature conditions. The control device monitors the temperatures of both the heat exchange medium and battery unit, and adjusts the heat transfer capacity parameter accordingly. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures optimal heat transfer efficiency at different stages of the heating process, preventing both heat loss and heating delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the heat transfer capacity between the battery unit and heat exchange medium is increased, then the heat transfer efficiency improves, but heat transfers from the battery unit to the heat exchange medium when the medium temperature is lower, causing heating delay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidheating delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by making the heat transfer capacity dynamic rather than static. The control device adjusts the heat transfer capacity in real-time based on the temperature difference between the heat exchange medium and battery unit. When the medium is colder, heat transfer capacity is reduced to prevent energy loss. When the medium reaches optimal temperature, heat transfer capacity is increased to maximize heating efficiency, thus achieving both high productivity and minimal time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies feedback control by continuously monitoring the temperatures of the heat exchange medium and battery unit, and using this information to adjust the heat transfer capacity. The control device receives temperature feedback and modifies the heat transfer capacity accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes heat transfer efficiency while preventing heating delay caused by unfavorable temperature gradients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively and quickly heats the battery units by optimizing heat transfer capacity, reducing power consumption, and ensuring efficient performance even in cold conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a heater that operates due to electricity supply from the battery unit and heats a heat exchange medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a heat exchange medium that exchanges heat with the battery unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4258421B1Battery unit temperature management device
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 MAZDA MOTOR CORP
  • EP4258421B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4258421B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4258421B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

[Task] To quickly heat a battery unit. [Solution] A battery unit temperature management device 1 includes a battery unit 10 that can be charged and discharged, a heater 40 that operates due to electricity supply from the battery unit 10 and heats a heat exchange medium W that exchanges heat with the battery unit 10, a changing mechanism 50 that changes a heat transfer capacity between the battery unit 10 and the heat exchange medium W, and a control device 60 that controls the heating of the heat exchange medium W by the heater 40 and the change of the heat transfer capacity by the changing mechanism 50. When a temperature Tw of the heat exchange medium W does not reach a first temperature T1 which is equivalent to a temperature Tm of the battery unit 10 while the heat exchange medium W is heated by the heater 40, the control device 60 makes the heat transfer capacity smaller than that when the temperature Tw of the heat exchange medium W has reached the first temperature.